Welcome to the Israel Military Forum. You are currently viewing our Israel Forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, Image Forum and access our other features. By joining our Israel Military Forum you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so

hi, folks. yea.. I'd like to serve in the IDF too. and im equally over the age-limit. but im in an excellent physical condition and have a good military experience. And i can't understand that: "As decided by the IDF, non-Israelis are eligible for enlisting only in the age brackets 18-23 incl. (men), 18-20 incl. (women), physicians until 35 incl. No exception is possible at this stage." Why do they like to recrute yong boys & girls, hormonal driven Rambos for this job and adult, grown people, ex-soldiers and, may be, specialists are having no chance? The next example is the French foreign Legion. the limit age is 39 there. and they have 20-60 recrutes EVERY WEEK. but the people who go serve at the Legio are intrested only for money ore false identity. ore the're running from something. otherwise, the people who wanna go serve to you, they wanna do that for an ethical reason.in best regards.

It's hard to believe that we have survived for 60+ years, outnumbered over 100 to one on the battlefield, over six times- and done it without 39 year old foreigners who think really highly of us.

We don't recruit anyone. Every Israeli is required to serve his or her country for three years. Even with a fixed percentage of those who do not serve, there is still no manpower shortage in the IDF. Our motto, which translates nicely is "Fight wars with Intelligence".

The number of dedicated idealistic non-native Israelis who serve under MAHAL, or make aliyah is a small fixed percentage of the military. In many cases these youngsters are the most dedicated and productive soldiers we have.

Frankly speaking, there is a tremendous decline in the quality of recruits starting at age 24. Sorry if I insult anyone, but most 24 to 30 year olds are willing to become idealistic right after flunking out of college, not being able to find a job or just got fired, got divorced or in some cases even got thrown out of mommy's house.

This site is unusual in that there has never been a single poster who was an Army cook in Texas - every single poster has 11 years under his belt, spent 23 of those years in the boonies (at age 30) and just got bored with Special Forces - and suddenly picked up an interest in Israel. They have never been there, do not speak the language of the country, but are willing to go there all the same and run the military for us. It is always a shame that we cannot accomodate them .

Shalom everyone,
I'm new to this forum, I too would like to join the IDF, however I do not want to go through mahal, I want to make Aliyah. Like most people I plan to after college, and I'm getting to the point where idealistic, unrealistic expectations about the infantry are gone.(besides i served as a rifleman in the USMC) I would just like to know more about other combat mos's and how the Israeli Mos, training etc is, compared to the United States. I can't be a pog, so I'm thinking the artillery corps, but (and maybe I haven't looked hard enough) I have really seen anyone asking about other combat oriented mos's other than Infantry and, armor. Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated Thank you.

Shalom everyone,
I'm new to this forum, I too would like to join the IDF, however I do not want to go through mahal, I want to make Aliyah. Like most people I plan to after college, and I'm getting to the point where idealistic, unrealistic expectations about the infantry are gone.(besides i served as a rifleman in the USMC) I would just like to know more about other combat mos's and how the Israeli Mos, training etc is, compared to the United States. I can't be a pog, so I'm thinking the artillery corps, but (and maybe I haven't looked hard enough) I have really seen anyone asking about other combat oriented mos's other than Infantry and, armor. Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated Thank you.

Don't you recall being told that for every one grunt in the field, there's nine POG's/REMF's in support of them? Makes you want to just swell up with pride, doesn't it Mac?

I'll let the IDF faction here answer your questions, but since I saw you are/were MOS 0311 in the Corps (and considering that was one of six held by me during active duty time) just figured I'd throw in my proverbial 2 cents worth.

Welcome to the forum!

__________________The maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters!

Shalom everyone,
I'm new to this forum, I too would like to join the IDF, however I do not want to go through mahal, I want to make Aliyah. Like most people I plan to after college, and I'm getting to the point where idealistic, unrealistic expectations about the infantry are gone.(besides i served as a rifleman in the USMC) I would just like to know more about other combat mos's and how the Israeli Mos, training etc is, compared to the United States. I can't be a pog, so I'm thinking the artillery corps, but (and maybe I haven't looked hard enough) I have really seen anyone asking about other combat oriented mos's other than Infantry and, armor. Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated Thank you.

Welcome to the forum. Making aliyah is great.

In porder to answer your questions, I first must know a couple of things. First, is your age upon making aliyah. Second is your fluency in hebrew. As a US vet, it almost has alread put you out of the eligible age for service after aliyah.

Second of course, is that you are already aware the language of the IDF is exclusively hebrew. How is yours?

Thank you for the warm welcome, I will be 23 upon making Aliyah, and will have 2 years of modern Hebrew under my belt, I'm 21 now just getting out of the USMC finishing up college, and starting my Hebrew. I hope by the time I make Aliyah to be fairly decent.

Common theme for those who are over the usual age, the IDF requires initiative. No one will ask you, you'll need to go to them.

Thank you for your replies. I got the idea that I needed to do 6 months from that very table on the nefesh b'nefesh website, so I assume it will apply to me too ( I also know others who are about my age and have received a tzav too). I know there is no shortage of manpower, and I'm not looking to be anybody's Rambo, but I am fairly determined to do my bit in order to fit in here. What is Magar?

Thank you for your replies. I got the idea that I needed to do 6 months from that very table on the nefesh b'nefesh website, so I assume it will apply to me too ( I also know others who are about my age and have received a tzav too). I know there is no shortage of manpower, and I'm not looking to be anybody's Rambo, but I am fairly determined to do my bit in order to fit in here. What is Magar?

I'll start with the easy questions.

MAGAR is the "eligibility pool". It simply means that the IDF knows you exist, knows you might be physically qualified to serve, but for all intents and purposes the Army has stopped investing valuable money and resources in training someone your age.

The combination of age, and most frequently, lack of hebrew and Israeli socialization skills means that your immediate attraction to the IDF is minimal.

In the event of a serious emergency where manpower became much more critical than it is today, they reserve the right to activate. And MAGAR is the master database of where to find people if they are needed.

Thank you for the warm welcome, I will be 23 upon making Aliyah, and will have 2 years of modern Hebrew under my belt, I'm 21 now just getting out of the USMC finishing up college, and starting my Hebrew. I hope by the time I make Aliyah to be fairly decent.

Almost none of those otherwise outstanding accomplishments is any help for you in the IDF.

As you are aware, your age means that as a general rule, you might not even serve at all, or receive 6 months training to set you up for future reserve duty. It is a simple financial decision - it will be easiest to train you as a rifleman, which of course a Marine you already are. Now we just have to teach you to do it our way.

Your USMC experience will only prevent you from a security clearance.

Keep learning hebrew. There is nothing attractive in the IDF that requires anything less than college entry level hebrew, as it should be.

Hey im kind of in the position of Jewcas and iv been reading through the forums to better understand. Im 25 born in america to two israeli parents. Iv been to israel several times and did alliyah when i was 13 and lived there for a year before my family decided to move back to America.

I speak hebrew decently, i understand well, i read and write like an 8 year old.
I have always had a desire to serve but my parents pushed me to college. I did not fail college, i have a good job and no real problems im trying to flee from i just have this burning feeling that i owe Israel and should a war break out and reserves are called i want to be able to help.

I know i will have to fight to join since i am 25 and growing up israeli american i have enough of an attitude to probably get my self in.

I have an israeli passport but im not sure what kind of citizen i am considered, so im not sure if i would be joining mahal or what. Any ideas? (sorry for long post)

Hey im kind of in the position of Jewcas and iv been reading through the forums to better understand. Im 25 born in america to two israeli parents. Iv been to israel several times and did alliyah when i was 13 and lived there for a year before my family decided to move back to America.

I speak hebrew decently, i understand well, i read and write like an 8 year old.
I have always had a desire to serve but my parents pushed me to college. I did not fail college, i have a good job and no real problems im trying to flee from i just have this burning feeling that i owe Israel and should a war break out and reserves are called i want to be able to help.

I know i will have to fight to join since i am 25 and growing up israeli american i have enough of an attitude to probably get my self in.

I have an israeli passport but im not sure what kind of citizen i am considered, so im not sure if i would be joining mahal or what. Any ideas? (sorry for long post)

MAHAL is a hebrew acronym for non-Israeli volunteers. You are not a non-Israeli. You are simply a 25 year old Israeli who is saying it was his parents fault he didn't serve.

Your status is one of someone who is a citizen, no more, no less. Fortunately or unfortunately, Israel will weigh you as any other Israeli. What is in it for the IDF to take you at this stage in your life? You did not mention moving there to live, is that your plan?

If you honestly feel a need to serve Israel, there are hundreds of unfilled teaching positions, hospital positions, handicapped aids.

The IDF has no manpower shortage, and a reserves unit is usually men who at your age have fought side by side for three years, and to date have served another four in reserves together. They know what each other can do, who can be depended on and who does what as a fighting unit. Unfortunately, you missed out.

But again, Israel is thrilled for people who want to serve her - just not in uniform. Let me know what skills you have, and perhaps I can make a recommendation of the best place to inquire.

I dont blame my parents (although my father responded to a letter from the IDF when i was 17 which i was not told of untill i was 23) for not serving at the age 18, i simply took their advice and went to college first.

Either way i realize Israel doesnt have a shortage of man power, i do on the other hand feel disconnected from israel as i lived 24 years of my life in America. I wanted to serve so i can feel connected to my brothers.

Yes i do want to live in israel, possibly right after completing my service or soon after.

I realize i can help by teaching and all other aspects of israeli society which i would like to do, as well as knowing how to defend the land which i want to dwell in

I travel quite a bit, as well as observe Shabbat. So I can't always reply immediately.

By working in law I assume you might be a member of a state bar. This has come up before, and sometimes being a member of the bar in a certain state is of value.

Your next step is to contact the Jewish Agency, and explain to them who you are, what your intentions are, and specific dates you are targeting. They will advise you on returning home (we can't call it aliyah). If you have difficulty locating your nearest office, let me know.

Im not a memeber of the state bar, im not an attorney, im a paralegal here in california, los angeles.
I filled out the form on one of the IDF websites to gain more info and they never contacted me. I had contact with someone at a recruiting office in Israel but they stopped responding to my emails. I was trying to figure out once i get to israel and give the recruiting office a forwarding address for me how long i have to wait before i could be screened for actually joining the IDF if they will at all accept me sinc im 25 but tech an israeli citizen. THanks again Rafi.

What would be my nearest office? I just want more details from an office here before i move back to Israel.
I reside in the San Fernando valley in Los Angeles County, California.

I'm on the bus looking out the window, passing miles and miles of desert sand. I have been in Israel for a little over nine months and I recently decided to join the few and proud and go to the Israeli army. My decision to join the army was not particularly hard (I've always wanted an M-16), but the choice of the Israeli army over the American was one that had me -– a 19-year-old American from Los Angeles studying in Israel -- thinking and debating for months.

I'm on the bus looking out the window, passing miles and miles of desert sand. I have been in Israel for a little over nine months and I recently decided to join the few and proud and go to the Israeli army. My decision to join the army was not particularly hard (I've always wanted an M-16), but the choice of the Israeli army over the American was one that had me -– a 19-year-old American from Los Angeles studying in Israel -- thinking and debating for months.

I hope your decision to join the IDF isn't just because of an M-16 (or its derivatives which I think you are referring to), not only because you might not even get one, but because army service isn't an action flick, it doesn't need Rambos trying to prove themselves.

I'm on the bus looking out the window, passing miles and miles of desert sand. I have been in Israel for a little over nine months and I recently decided to join the few and proud and go to the Israeli army. My decision to join the army was not particularly hard (I've always wanted an M-16), but the choice of the Israeli army over the American was one that had me -– a 19-year-old American from Los Angeles studying in Israel -- thinking and debating for months.

Amazing you can do all that when your IP shows you are in Islamabad in Pakistan baigarman!

And the links to Pakistani websites in your signature have been removed, if you replace them your account will be closed.

__________________Shalom to everyone! No extremeis good. Neitherin religion, nor in science.
"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence.. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel."
~ Golda Meir~

Im tech Israeli, spent all my life in America, Born in AMerica. I lived in Israel for one year when i was 13. I just turned 25. I graduated from college at 23. I have always wanted to put on the IDF uniform just like all my cousins my father etc have done. If i come to israel what will i be considered? Would they take me? i am in good shape. I understand basic hebrew fine. If i come back to Israel what would they consider me as since im tech Israeli and hold both israeli and american citizenship?